Ama Kanchana held her nerve in the final over as Pakistan Women completed a thrilling one-wicket win over their Sri Lanka counterparts chasing 130 in the first Twenty20 International in Colombo to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Chasing a modest total of 130, Pakistan lost Nahida Khan (2) and Natalia Pervaiz (4) in the first four overs and were reduced to 19 for two. The reconstruction began with Bismah Maroof (42) and Javeria Khan (52) adding 60 runs for the third wicket.

At the halfway mark, Pakistan were placed 68 for two. However, things slipped quick and fast with an indecision in running led to the run out of Maroof and Nida Dar (1) along with Kainat Imtiaz (5) were dismissed in successive overs.

Javeria reached her half-century with a boundary in the 16th over and still Pakistan looked in control needing 16 runs off the final four overs.

Sugandika Kumari (3-23), the pick of the Sri Lanka bowlers bowled the decisive 18th over when she claimed the prized wicket of Javeria trapping her LBW and in the next delivery, Sana Mir (9) was also run out.

With eight runs needed off the final two overs, Sri Lanka managed to remove Fareeha Mehmood (2) and Nashra Sandhu (1) before Fatima (6 not out) hit six runs in the three deliveries she faced to seal a one-wicket victory.

Earlier, Anushka Sanjeewani (61) and Nilakshi de Silva (35 not out) were the only players to cross the double-digit in the Sri Lanka innings as they were restricted to 129 for six in the 20 overs.